The most spectacular Christmas trees around the globe

O CHRISTMAS tree, O Christmas tree, thy leaves are so unchanging.” Or so the lyrics of the popular Christmas carol go. But Christmas trees around the world are no longer traditional evergreen firs, instead they’ve taken on unique and diverse forms, with variation in colour, size and shape. Some aren’t even trees at all.

The Christmas tradition of decorating a tree is believed to have its roots in pagan and Christian winter celebrations, where fir tree branches were used to decorate homes to remind people of spring or as a symbol of “everlasting life”. While there were a number of forms of early Christmas trees, the first recorded appearance of a Christmas tree in a town square is said to date back to 15th or 16th century Latvia. Townsfolk are said to have danced around the trees before setting them on fire.

Now Christmas trees are commonplace in town centres, with cities around the world keen to put on a show with their impressive trees — and this year is no exception. From Moscow to Madrid toMelbourne, here are some of the world’s most spectacular Christmas trees.

The tree in Puerta del Sol in the Spanish capital of Madrid stands brightly, the blue and green neon lights illuminating the city plaza. Meanwhile, a tree in Moscow can be seen reflected in a nearby stainless steel sculpture by artist Gregory Orekhov.

Armed police forces stand in front of the world’s largest Christmas tree, according to the organisers, at the Christmas market in Dortmund. Picture: Bernd Thissen/dpa via APSource:AP

Dortmund in Germany claims to have the world’s largest Christmas tree. The 45-metre-tall tree is covered in some 48,000 lights.

Employees pose with a six-metre Nordmann Fir tree in Windsor Castle, England. The Windsor Castle State Apartments are used by members of the Royal Family for hosting and events. Picture: Jack Taylor/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

A crane hoists the Rockefeller Center tree upright in New York City. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images/AFPSource:AFP

Everyone from royalty to celebrity, seems to get on the act. The Queen of England has a lavishly decorated six-metre tree put up in Windsor Castle, while queen of pop Gwen Stefani was caught striking a pose in front of the Empire State Building’s annual tree. Stefani performed at the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas tree, which is also in New York. This year’s Rockefeller tree is a 23-metre Norway spruce from Pennsylvania.

People walk past of a illuminated Christmas tree at the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France. Picture: AP Photo/Michel EulerSource:AP

Paris went with a statement all-white tree this year at the Place de la Concorde. The City of Lights lived up to its name with this illuminated tree, as well as many other decorative Christmas lights throughout the city.

A 36 metre Giant Redwood tree is lit up for Christmas at Wakehurst Place in Haywards Heath, England. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

A 36-metre Giant Redwood tree stands over Wakehurst Place in Haywards Heath, England. The tree was decorated with 1800 low-energy lamps, so it’s nor surprise the tree can be seen by pilots as the fly overhead towards Gatwick Airport.

A more abstract form of Christmas tree is that which appears in front of the V & A Museum in London. Composed of a “cloud of floating words”, the tree forms part a month-long festive music themed program at the museum.

Melbourne’s new LED Christmas tree at Federation Square. Picture: AAP Image/Supplied/City of MelbourneSource:AAP

Closer to home, and in a much warmer climate, is Melbourne’s new LED Christmas tree, which has made its appearance for the first time at Federation Square.